UNC’s 34-9 loss to UCF wasn’t just another upset on the field for Bill Belichick. It gave rise to yet another firestorm swirling around his complicated relationship with Jordon Hudson. The Tar Heels were already struggling at 2-2 after a blowout loss to another Power 12 team. Now this defeat put Belichick’s coaching and leadership back under scrutiny. The offense sputtered, managing only 217 yards and one touchdown. There was very little cohesion or spark despite a brief rally after backup QB Max Johnson replaced injured Gio Lopez. The loss sparked a growing anxiety about Belichick’s direction for the program. But more than the tactical and on-field miscues, it’s Belichick’s off-field drama with his 24-year-old girlfriend, Jordon Hudson, that keeps stealing the spotlight.

Hudson stole the show, but not in a good way. She was dressed in a striking blue snake-print miniskirt, knee-high boots, and a white off-the-shoulder top, which instantly made her the center of attention. After the crushing defeat, cameras caught her comforting a visibly dejected Belichick in the postgame tunnel, giving him what seemed like a much-needed pep talk. Hudson’s emotional support moment quietly stole headlines. That’s when we find the Tar Heels’ fans, trying to shift their focus to UNC’s poor game plan. Moments like these instantly fuel the backlash against Bill Belichick.

NFL Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe, along with Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson and former QB Johnny Manziel, didn’t hold back on the Nightcap podcast. “The girlfriend stuff, you don’t see it anywhere else in college,” Manziel starts with his take. “It’s obviously a problem. It’s obviously an issue. People look at it, and they’re talking about it every single week. Doesn’t make sense to me, and it’s so ‘UnBelichick.'” That sentiment cuts deep. It’s because, frankly, it’s not something you’d expect from a 73-year-old coach with 25 years of NFL experience and six Super Bowl rings to his name. Belichick’s reputation was built on professionalism and laser-focused leadership. Instead, the ongoing headlines got hold of his much younger girlfriend.

Back in May, she and Belichick experienced a full-blown PR disaster. It happened during a CBS Sunday Morning interview promoting Belichick’s book. Hudson abruptly shut down a question about their relationship with a curt, “We’re not talking about this,” which quickly went viral and overshadowed the entire media campaign. So it’s never a first time with her. “And the funny thing, too, about Bill, obviously knowing him personally,” Ocho said without falling behind. “He doesn’t give two, you know what, about what nobody says, what nobody thinks.” Ochocinco’s perspective is especially interesting considering his time playing alongside Belichick in 2011. During that time, he witnessed firsthand how Belichick’s ironclad leadership style left little room for outside interference or distractions.

Reporters got absolutely nothing about the team, and fans saw the Patriots as a straight-up “football fortress.” But now in CFB, the talks are less about football and more about his dating life.

Shannon Sharpe wouldn’t back off amid the rival team’s taunts against Bill Belichick

Shannon Sharpe wouldn’t fall behind while talking about Belichick. “He would always tell you guys distractions. This is a distraction for his football team,” Sharpe said. “Now, people are talking about things that are not football-related. So the biggest distraction created at the University of Chapel Hill is Bill Belichick and what he had in the extracurricular act.” Hudson’s presence during the UNC-UCF game instantly ignited a firestorm of online chatter and distractions. It got quite difficult, especially because the Tar Heels were already struggling on the field.

Social media buzz exploded with fans, analysts, and trolls hopping on her every move. The timing couldn’t have been worse for Belichick and the Tar Heels, whose offense managed only 217 yards and one touchdown. The embarrassment, however, didn’t stop with just the fans and internet trolls. The UCF football team took the chance to poke fun at Belichick and Hudson. The Knights posted an animated image on social media of their mascot lying on the beach, holding up a big “W.”

The post was a clear strike at the UNC struggles and the intense spotlight on the couple. It was a way for UCF to emphasize its dominance and remind everyone that the Tar Heels’ coach was still finding his footing in the college game. The whole situation highlights just how wild things have gotten for Belichick’s first college coaching season. From the quarterback woes with Gio Lopez and Max Johnson to the palpable frustration on the sidelines. It has really been one struggle after another.